As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can confidently say that yes, you can eat bolted mizuna. Mizuna is a leafy green vegetable that is commonly used in salads and stir-fries. However, when mizuna bolts, it starts to produce flowers and the taste of the leaves may change.
When mizuna bolts, the buds and flowers that emerge are actually edible and can be a tasty addition to your meals. They can be harvested and added to salads or used as a garnish. The buds and flowers have a slightly different flavor compared to the leaves, so it can add a unique touch to your dishes.
It’s important to note that when mizuna bolts, the leaves can become bitter and tougher in texture. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest the rest of the plant immediately if you find that the leaves are still tasting good. This is because the quality of the leaves will only deteriorate further as the plant continues to flower and produce seeds.
If you have other mizuna plants in the same row, it is highly likely that they will also start flowering soon. In this case, it is advisable to harvest them promptly as well, to ensure that you have the best quality leaves for consumption.
In my personal experience, I have found that harvesting bolted mizuna as soon as possible is crucial to maintaining its taste and texture. Once the plant starts to produce flowers, the leaves can become quite tough and bitter, making them less enjoyable to eat. Therefore, I always keep a close eye on my mizuna plants and harvest them when I notice any signs of bolting.
To summarize, bolted mizuna can still be eaten, particularly the buds and flowers which can be added to salads or used as a garnish. However, it is important to harvest the rest of the plant immediately if the leaves still taste good, as they will only deteriorate in quality. Keep an eye on your mizuna plants and harvest them promptly to ensure the best flavor and texture.
